The Saints Are Marching In!

Hello Second Grade Families!
I'd like to begin by saying, "Wow!"  Thank you for an amazing birthday!  Your thoughtful sentiments warmed my heart.  The bouquet of flowers from all of your children, the balloons, the gift cards, the yummy treats, and the adorable card that was signed by the entire class was very touching.  My heart is full of gratitude for showing such generosity and kindness!  What a blessing it is to be a part of the ACS community.  Thank you.

Also, the children's saint reports and their artistic water bottle saints are absolutely wonderful!  Last week, the class also began learning all about our classroom saint, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha.  This week, the students will be engaged in a learning activity called, "An Interview With A Saint."  Our class will be hearing the life stories of various saints and they will also be taking simple notes on what they learn about each of these individual saint's lives.  It's my hope,  that the students will understand that the saints were ordinary people that made a conscious decision to lead an extraordinary life that would honor their love for Jesus.   May the saints inspire us all to work towards living lives that show our love for Christ.  Please continue reading to discover everything that will be taking place in our second grade classroom and right here at ACS.

ELA
This week, the students are going to focus on concepts from our Journey's reading series that we were unable to complete last week due to our unusually busy schedule.  Here are the concepts that your children will be working on.

• Spelling ~ A review of contractions  

The students will only have 12 spelling words this week to assist them in better understanding contractions.

• What is a fact versus what is an opinion?
• Grammar ~ Past, Present and Future tenses using verbs
• Main details from a story
• Writing ~ The students will create a persuasive writing sample that will require them to write from the viewpoint of a turkey.  Their job is to convince a farmer to not make them the main course for this year's Thanksgiving feast.  

Math (Resourceful Learners)

The students will continue working in unit 3 from our Go Math series!  This unit focuses on basic addition and subtraction facts.  Please know that your children have access to IXL and can practice their basic math facts on line at home to assist them in mastering their basic math facts.  Your child's IXL information is located inside the front cover of your child's agenda.   Every child received their IXL username and password on a bright yellow slip of paper and it was stapled to the front cover inside their planner.

Science(Thoughtful Citizens and Active Christians)

The students began their science lessons that focuses on animals.  

Key concepts that the students will be focusing on are:

• animal traits/characteristics
• animal habitats
• life cycles
• wildlife conservation

STREAM ~ Last week, we were unable to complete our STREAM activity, so this Thursday or Friday,  the second graders will be experiencing a STREAM lesson.  This STREAM activity is called "Help Harry!"  The students will be working in groups of 4 to create a structure to save a little fuzzy friend that is in need of a structure to protect him from predators.  This activity is intended to help kids understand the reasoning behind why birds create nests.

Religion (Active Christians)

The students will be stepping outside of their religion textbook series to focus on the gift of the saints this week! 

The students will pray during a variety of times through out the day. 

The students will attend our all school Mass on Friday at 8:15am.

Updates

STO Workshop ~ Nov 06 2018 at 08:15 AM Chess Club ~ Nov 07 2018 at 03:10 PM Veteran's Day Celebration ~ Nov 09 2018    Chess Club ~ Nov 14 2018 at 03:10 PM    Enrichment Ideas Does your child give you a difficult time when it comes time for nightly reading, or perhaps do you feel your child needs more time spent on reading at home?   Well, this is a free website that plays "free" tumble books.  The books are child centered books that are read out loud to them.  Tumble books also highlights each word as the story is being read out loud to your child.  Simply click on the link below to access an additional link that will lead you to the Tumble Books website.  I hope this website benefits your children and helps to foster a love for reading! Tumble Books (California school website) Spelling Ideas ~  Have your child practice their spelling words using shaving cream!  When my kids were in the primary grades they loved practicing their spelling words on the shower wall while they were scrubbing up every Thursday night.  It is a fun way to practice their spelling the night before their weekly test! Math Ideas ~  IXL Download a child centered math app on an I-pad and let your child practice their basic math facts.  Here are some suggestions, Sushi Monster, Prodigy Math,  or 2nd Grade Math. Mathplayground.com is a free math based website for kids to practice their facts on too! Homework Second Grade Homework for the Week of November 5th All homework assignments are due on November 9th Monday ~  Read for 15 minutes and log your reading on the handout that is located inside your homework packet. Complete the math skill sheet reviewing number bonds Tuesday~ Read for 15 minutes and log your reading on the handout that is located inside your homework packet. Complete the “Fall Leaves” comprehension skill sheets Wednesday ~ Read for 15 minutes and log your reading on the handout that is located inside your homework packet Complete the verb practice skill sheet   Thursday ~  Read for 15 minutes and log your reading on the handout that is located inside your homework packet Complete the Veteran’s Day fluency, expression, and comprehension skill sheet    Please return your homework on Friday! Don’t forget to have one of your parents sign your agenda this evening! Parents, please note that your child’s spelling words for this week should have been written inside their agendas.